vo02/21/11 The Primary Ballot for May 3rd has been set.  Both the Republicans and Democrats in Plymouth as well as Republicans in Bremen have choices when they go to the polls and vote in the spring primary.

For the municipal primary election in Plymouth the Democrats will choose their candidate to represent them for Mayor.  Two businessmen, both restaurant owners, will face off.   Anthony Gamble, the owner of Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders filed earlier in the season while Jim Vinall, the owner of Opie’s Deli and the Patio filed just less than 24 hours before the Friday noon deadline.  One of these two will face the Republican incumbent Mark Senter who is the fourth year of his first term.

City Clerk Treasurer, Republican, Toni Hutchings is running uncontested in the primary while the democrats have no candidate.

The City of Plymouth has one at large seat for City County.  The position is currently held by Republican Mike Delp.  Delp is not being challenged in the primary and the Democrats don’t have a candidate on the ballot either.

The City is divided into four districts.  District 1 is currently held by Chuck Ripley who has decided not to run again after three terms.  Duane Culp a Detective with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department has filed on the Republican ticket while Jeff Houin, a real-estate attorney has signed on the Democratic ticket.

In District 2 Democrat Don Gardner has decided not to seek a third term.  Two Republicans, Don Ecker Jr. who is a customer service manager at Pregis and Bill Watson who owned Watson’s City News Agency for 20 years in downtown Plymouth will challenge each other in the May primary.  Democrat Ralph Ganshorn filed late Friday morning.

City District 3 has former Plymouth Fire Chief Wayne Smith in his fourth year as a city councilman.  He is not being challenged in the primary on the Republican ticket and the Democrats don’t have a candidate.

Mark Neidig II announced just over a week ago that he would not seek a second term for the District 4 City Council seat noting his work and family need to be his top priority at this point.  Because of that announcement two candidates filed on Thursday.  Republican Shawn Grobe and Democrat Ryan Ripley will challenge each other in the November General Election.

Bremen will also have a primary race on the Republican side with seven candidates filing for four seats.  Incumbents Chad Baker, Rick Garverson, James Leeper and Heath Thornton are being challenged by Jim Lashbrook, Michael Venable, and Trend Weldy.  Republican clerk-treasurer Janet Anglemyer does not have a challenger in the primary and the Democrats have no one running.

The Municipal Primary election is May 3rd while registered voters will be able to vote absentee beginning on April 4th.